Do bubbles affect plant growth?

[spitz006]

I finally finished cycling my tank with fish. A couple of casualties early on.. but I learned my lesson. Anyway got a ton of plants, and 11 small fish. I have a HOB rated for 20-40 but it really makes the current extremely strong in the tank. There's a big peice of driftwood right in the middle so most of the fish can go to that to avoid the current, but I'd like to reduce it if possible. I have a sponge filter I could set up, but I'm not sure if the bubbles will have a negative effect on the plants. I use excel and some other fertailzer and i have sand and the plants are doing GREAT! They're just popping out roots everywhere and are beatufiul and green.

I guess my question is: What should I do to switch over filters so that I don't start the cycle over again? And will the bubbles produced by the sponge filter have a negative effect on my plant respiration?

 

[Zari]

Run the sponge with you HOB filter for about 6-8 weeks before taking the hob off line.

However if the current is the problem you can always take a filter sponge and put it in front of the output of the hob. It will act as more bio and it will break up the current.

 

[joe jaskot]

Put a sponge on the intake of your power filter. It will reduce the flow of water.